Brace yourselves, football fans—the beautiful game is about to take another technological leap, but will it be a blessing or another headache? For the first time in English domestic football, semi-automated offside technology will be introduced in the FA Cup’s fifth round, promising to bring precision to one of the most debated aspects of the sport.
The Football Association (FA) has confirmed that this groundbreaking system will be used in seven FA Cup matches taking place at Premier League stadiums. This marks a significant step toward modernizing refereeing decisions, as the Premier League also looks to adopt the technology later this season.
UEFA set the precedent by rolling out semi-automated offside technology in the Champions League during the 2022–23 campaign. Now, English football is following suit, aiming to eliminate the subjectivity that comes with traditional offside calls.
How Does It Work?
The system functions by using artificial intelligence to monitor both ball and player movement in real-time. Unlike the current Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system—where human officials painstakingly analyze the moment a pass is played, along with the positioning of attackers and defenders—semi-automated technology will make these decisions instantly.
Specialized cameras have been installed under the roofs of all 20 Premier League stadiums, tracking player movement and positioning with pinpoint accuracy. The AI-driven system then determines whether a player is offside based on predefined criteria, generating instant feedback.
The FA has emphasized that while the system does not change the accuracy of offside decisions, it does enhance speed and efficiency. The placement of virtual offside lines will now be automated, ensuring quicker verdicts while reducing human error.
Additionally, VAR will remain active across all eight FA Cup fifth-round matches—including the game at Championship side Preston—with referees making in-stadium VAR announcements to keep fans informed.
A Game-Changer or Another VAR-Style Disaster?
Despite its promise, semi-automated offside technology is bound to spark debate. Some purists argue that football is losing its human element, with the sport becoming too reliant on technology. Others believe this move will finally end the agonizing delays and controversies that have plagued VAR since its introduction.
With the FA Cup fifth-round fixtures set for the weekend of March 1, all eyes will be on how well this system performs under the scrutiny of English football’s most passionate fans. Will this innovation bring clarity, or will it fuel another round of football controversy?
Do you think semi-automated offside technology will improve the game, or will it be another contentious addition? Join the debate in the comments below and share your thoughts!